Skip to main content

How to build a dark matter detector - Jenna Saffin

328,182 Views

3,035 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

More than 2 kilometers below the surface of northern Ontario, suspended in 345,000 liters of ultra-pure water, there’s a perfect sphere. Scientists continuously monitor this chamber, looking for a glimmer of light in the darkness. Why? Because that light would indicate the presence of one of the universe’s greatest mysteries: dark matter. Jenna Saffin describes how this dark matter detector works.

Dark matter experiments require many people with many different skills over long periods of time to run successfully. What are some other types of projects or experiments that also work this way?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jenna Saffin
  • Director Franz Palomares
  • Script Editor Dan Kwartler
  • Designer Tara Sunil Thomas
  • Music Matt Tyson
  • Associate Producer Elizabeth Cox, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki
  • Fact-Checker Brian Gutierrez

More from Out Of This World